GCheung55
04-06-2004, 12:06 AM
Hey everyone. I've finally properly installed the Double X Brace by D3 Designs. It was a difficult task and took a lot of muscle because I followed the directions on the paper which were wrong. After reading the threads here I installed them myself. Sorry, no pictures.
At first glass the bar looked plain and simple. It didn't have any gloss to make it all pretty. What surprised me (and my friend) was how light it was. The instructions seemed mediocre.
Tools:
12mm, 17mm and 19mm + socket wrench
Jack + Jack Stands
Biggest wrench you can find
Zip Ties (BIG HELP)
Installation:
I did the installation three times. First time (with a friend) was without reading the instructions, next was following it, and lastly was reading the threads. To make a long story short I began by zip tying the bar to part of the chassis. It looks like a long tube from the driver to passenger side. Afterwards, I started with the rear two bolts using 12mm. Leaving them loose, I continued up to the middle then the front. Leave plenty of slack. It might be difficult to get the bolt to slide in because the bar would be pulling it to the rear. My suggestion here is to use the pull the bar forward and try to slide the bolts in. If that doesn't work try using a rubber hammer. If THAT doesn't work, then use the jack. Remeber to try and get the bolt to reach the hole first before using the jack. The middle section should be threaded without using the jack. I'll tell you about the jack method in a moment. The front is where I had the most difficulty. With the biggest wrench i had, I slid it over the bar, and used it to create some leverage to pull the bar towards the front. Once this is done, the bolt should side in the hole a bit easier. But it's not all the way in. As you start cranking at the bolt it will stop threading. At this point you use the jack.
Using the jack was a bit scarry at first. Placing an extension and the socket under the bolt, I jacked up the extension right under the bolt until it pushed the bolt into the hole. The car may be lifted but do it slowly. You might wanna do this in intervals with pulling the bar and wiggling the bolt, and then doing the jack method again. Once it's in, you'll hear some noise as if it hit some threading. Start cranking and you should be all set.
Remember to tighten all the bolts during installation, and after a test drive, just to be on the safe side.
Comments:
The handling was a lot better. I'm doing this on a stock EP3 with the Double X Brace being the only mod. After taking turns that I usually do at reasonable speeds, I feel the car is able to take those turns a bit faster. There is still some body roll considering my car isn't lowered. I hear less skidding while turning and accelerating while coming out of the turn too.
I hope this has been a fun read. It's my first review. Your comments?
At first glass the bar looked plain and simple. It didn't have any gloss to make it all pretty. What surprised me (and my friend) was how light it was. The instructions seemed mediocre.
Tools:
12mm, 17mm and 19mm + socket wrench
Jack + Jack Stands
Biggest wrench you can find
Zip Ties (BIG HELP)
Installation:
I did the installation three times. First time (with a friend) was without reading the instructions, next was following it, and lastly was reading the threads. To make a long story short I began by zip tying the bar to part of the chassis. It looks like a long tube from the driver to passenger side. Afterwards, I started with the rear two bolts using 12mm. Leaving them loose, I continued up to the middle then the front. Leave plenty of slack. It might be difficult to get the bolt to slide in because the bar would be pulling it to the rear. My suggestion here is to use the pull the bar forward and try to slide the bolts in. If that doesn't work try using a rubber hammer. If THAT doesn't work, then use the jack. Remeber to try and get the bolt to reach the hole first before using the jack. The middle section should be threaded without using the jack. I'll tell you about the jack method in a moment. The front is where I had the most difficulty. With the biggest wrench i had, I slid it over the bar, and used it to create some leverage to pull the bar towards the front. Once this is done, the bolt should side in the hole a bit easier. But it's not all the way in. As you start cranking at the bolt it will stop threading. At this point you use the jack.
Using the jack was a bit scarry at first. Placing an extension and the socket under the bolt, I jacked up the extension right under the bolt until it pushed the bolt into the hole. The car may be lifted but do it slowly. You might wanna do this in intervals with pulling the bar and wiggling the bolt, and then doing the jack method again. Once it's in, you'll hear some noise as if it hit some threading. Start cranking and you should be all set.
Remember to tighten all the bolts during installation, and after a test drive, just to be on the safe side.
Comments:
The handling was a lot better. I'm doing this on a stock EP3 with the Double X Brace being the only mod. After taking turns that I usually do at reasonable speeds, I feel the car is able to take those turns a bit faster. There is still some body roll considering my car isn't lowered. I hear less skidding while turning and accelerating while coming out of the turn too.
I hope this has been a fun read. It's my first review. Your comments?